In St. Petersburg, public activities that positively depict "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism, transgenderism and paedophilia" in the presence of young people are to be punished in future. This is provided for in a law introduced by Putin's United Russia party, which was passed by the St Petersburg city parliament on 29 February in the third reading by 29 votes to 5 (with one abstention). It still has to be signed by the governor of St Petersburg and will then come into force ten days later.
Violations of the law could result in fines ranging from the equivalent of around 130 euros (for individuals) to 13,000 euros (for organisations). All public media reports, events, educational and counselling services on the subject of homosexuality/bisexuality/transsexuality that are also accessible to young people could be considered "homosexual propaganda". It is to be feared that this would also make HIV prevention for men who have sex with men more difficult or impossible.
Still on 28 February members of all parliamentary groups represented in the Berlin House of Representatives had pointed out in an open letterthat discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people violates the European Convention on Human Rights, which Russia has also signed. This is also recognised by the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, Markus Löning, saidwho described the official justification for the law, the protection of minors, as "hypocritical".
On 8 February 2012, the Hamburg Parliament - Hamburg is the twin city of St. Petersburg - also called on the political players in Russia to reconsider the planned law, after Hamburg's Senator for Justice and Equal Opportunities, Jana Schiedek, had already described the planned draft law in November 2011 as not in keeping with the spirit of the town twinning that has existed since 1957.
(hs)
Sources/further information
Report by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti from 29 February 2012 (in English)
Message from the news service interfax-religion (in English)
Message on queer.de
Announcement by the LSVD (Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany) Berlin from 28 February 2012
Message from the Federal Foreign Office on the draft law dated 09/02/2012
Message on aidshilfe.de from 08.02.2012
Article in the d@h_blog from 13.01.2012
